NICOLA Sturgeon has been urged to back a high-profile UK Government initiative aimed at tackling racial inequality in the public sector – after she was accused of "snubbing" it.

The First Minister was criticised after declining to take part in an “unprecedented” audit of how race affects the way people are treated by public services.

Now Scottish Labour’s shadow equalities secretary has written to Ms Sturgeon expressing her disappointment and calling on her to reverse the decision.

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Letters previously revealed Prime Minister Theresa May clashed with Ms Sturgeon over the issue.

She expressed her frustration after the First Minister said she was “unsure” about the merits of the scheme and questioned whether it was the “right approach” for Scotland.

Mrs May announced the UK Government would be launching an unprecedented audit of public services and race in 2016, shortly after taking office.

She ordered Whitehall departments to publish information showing the outcomes for people of different backgrounds in areas such as education, health and employment.

However, data from Scotland was not included in the mass of statistics later released by officials, as the Scottish Government did not take part.

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Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour’s shadow equalities secretary, has now written to Ms Sturgeon urging a rethink.

She wrote: “Refusal to take part in the race disparity audit would perhaps be understandable if the Scottish Government had similar or duplicate plans to undertake a full audit of the public sector workforce – but as I understand it, this is not the case.”

She added: “Eradicating racism and prejudice requires all parties and administrations to work jointly together.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said it chose not to be involved in the UK Government’s race disparity audit after discussions with stakeholders.

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He added: “Clearly no one should be denied opportunities because of their race and any barriers to accessing public services are unacceptable. That is why we have shown leadership by publishing a race equality framework and our race equality action plan sets out key actions we are taking to address race inequalities.”

He added: “We are confident that our own data gathering systems will better reflect Scotland’s circumstances and needs.”